Study finds high skepticism and low knowledge of AI in Austria

This year, the study focused on the topic of AI. According to the study, the people surveyed see more risks than opportunities from the use of the technology. The question of whether they believe that AI will make life easier is also answered negatively.

• Also read: Artificial Intelligence: “Austria is more of a passenger” [OÖNplus]

The Digital Skills Barometer was developed by the fit4internet initiative with partners from business and science. The current survey was carried out together with the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, the Enterprise Training Center (ETC) and the fit4internet members Cisco, Microsoft Austria and Siemens. As Martin Heimhilcher, head of the Information and Consulting division in the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, explained, 2,000 people across the country were surveyed.

High self-assessment

On average, they usually only have basic knowledge, as was shown by the relevant questions. The self-assessment – before the specific knowledge questions were asked – was in some cases significantly higher, as the CEO of Siemens Austria, Patricia Neumann, explained. A clear “knowledge gap” is noticeable here. When asked whether they see more opportunities than risks, 25 percent answered yes, but 27 percent answered no. The rest were undecided or did not want to give an assessment.

• Read more: Austrians less enthusiastic about AI than Europeans

The result was similar for the item “The use of AI applications and systems makes my life easier”. The assumption that one would personally benefit from the technology was even more clearly rated as not true. Concerns were raised about possible misuse, for example through the spread of so-called deep fakes. There are also considerable fears in companies, for example in the area of ​​data security. There were also fears that one would become technologically dependent on the systems, as the Managing Director of Cisco Austria, Hans Greiner, explained.

Around half do not use AI

Around half said they do not use AI. 40 percent of respondents were simply confused about the new technological possibilities. However, there is apparently hardly any desire to learn more about it. According to the survey, only around a quarter of the population would like to develop the relevant skills in the near future. Only 6 percent are well-informed. This also shows a gender gap, as was emphasized. 68 percent of the well-informed group were men. In terms of age, 16 to 29 year olds are at the top when it comes to AI knowledge.

• You might also be interested in: How AI is increasing the carbon footprint

A breakdown by federal state was also carried out, reported Microsoft Austria boss Hermann Erlach. The results here were relatively uniform, with Vienna and Vorarlberg slightly ahead in terms of AI knowledge. If AI is used in Austria, it is professionally in the form of text generators or translation tools. In the private sector, search engines and navigation programs dominate.

The initiators of the digital barometer saw the results as an alarm signal. “We need more understanding of technology among the population and decision-makers,” said Microsoft CEO Erlach. They called for better school education and the creation of incentives for professional training. They also said that more attention should be paid to the opportunities, such as the fact that the development of new products or administrative processes could be made significantly more efficient using AI solutions.